WILSON BOROUGH, Pa. — Wilson Area School District would miss out on $2.98 million in tax revenue if it approved a tax abatement plan for the new Easton Commerce Park project, district Business Manager Stephanie Arnold said Monday.
That’s assuming this year’s 3.5% tax increase remains steady for the next decade and the board later approves use of Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance for the developer, Arnold said.
Scannell Properties, developer for the $180 million project at 1525 Wood Ave., wants to put up a 1-million-square-foot warehouse at the old Pfizer Pigments plant site.
Wilson Area School District would miss out on $2.98 million in tax revenue by approving a 10-year tax abatement for the Easton Commerce Park project at 1525 Wood Ave.Wilson Area School District Business Manager Stephanie Arnold
Incentivizing the redevelopment of the aging property, LERTA would call for no tax on site improvements in the first year and a graduated increase in tax payments in remaining years over the span of a decade.
Scannell officials previously described the tax program as “the economic engine that fires it up to have this development be completed.”
A previous estimate showed the district would receive about $5 million from the property over 10 years with LERTA in effect.
The school board took no action and offered no further commentary on Monday.
It's scheduled to meet again Sept. 15.
'Our students deserve better'
Area residents Kendra Cooper and Colleen O’Neal, both part of the Stop the Wood. Ave Warehouse coalition, shared thoughts with the board on the megastructure located on the Wilson-Easton line.
Their grassroots group includes residents from Easton, Forks and Palmer townships, and Wilson.
“This is an egregious land development that is going to compromise our environment and the integrity of our neighborhood."Kendra Cooper of the Stop the Wood. Ave Warehouse coalition
“This is an egregious land development that is going to compromise our environment and the integrity of our neighborhood,” Cooper said.
“Our students deserve better, our kids deserve better, and I think we can do better.”
O’Neal said, “Why wait for tax revenue while roads and lungs become congested from ongoing construction and tractor-trailers?”
“Why gamble the health and well-being of our community for decades to come, just to incentivize a mega warehouse development that the community has overwhelmingly stated that they want to reject?”
Around the area
Developers and school board officials discussed the matter at a meeting in May.
Concerns from the board centered around environmental and traffic impacts.
In April, Wilson Borough Council approved an ordinance providing tax relief for the project. The school district and Northampton County would need to do the same.
Easton School District has stated its opposition to the warehouse with an ordinance.
The city Planning Commission, delaying its decision in May, was set to review the plans again on July 2. The topic was removed from the agenda and the developer did not show — but officials heard from a crowded City Hall.
